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Well it is the beginning of 2017, and right now the weather outside is frightful. For those of us that can’t wait for spring, we have put together a couple of things that everyone can try to get past the winter blues. The next eleven ideas can help make your winter a brighter color instead of the many shades of blue!

1.) Practice eating smarter

Here are three ways to start.

Avoid candy and carbohydrates.

Limit Caffeine intake

Try mood lifting foods

Foods that are good to lift moods include: Oats, spinach, fish, lentils, coconut, bananas and of course, Chocolate. I read an article called Foods to boost your mood naturally. We liked it because we found that we were already eating most of the foods on the list.

I stay away from most caffeine, but I do drink a lot of both caffeinated and caffeine free tea (teas, as it turns out, also helps to boost your mood). But, I hope my intake is still much lower than the average person.

Saffron is a spice that can help with mood enhancement. I looked in our spice drawer and could not find it. My husband said it was a little expensive for our food budget, so we do not have any. But with all the other options that we have in the food area, I think we are doing pretty good!

2.) Go Outside

With exercising outside you have the advantage of being in natural light. Natural light is a mood enhancer. Being outside will make you feel much better. Also breathing in fresh air can chase your blues away. If there is a park nearby in your neighborhood, it is a great place to walk.

Take your canine companion outside. Walking and playing with your dog is a no brainer. Of course this will make you feel better. Isn’t just about everything better with your dog!

3.) Get moving and Exercise

As mentioned in an earlier post this year about New Year Resolutions, one of my goals is to exercise daily. A great side effect of daily activity is a better overall mood. Feeling more energized helps some individuals chase off the blues. I walk/jog around our RV in a large oval pattern daily. Where we are as of now, I am privileged to see a 180 degree view of mountains that look close enough to touch (But they are at least 3 miles away). Even when it is colder outside I look forward to getting outside and seeing the surrounding mountains.

4.) Stay Social and Connected

I have heard that going out and getting together with friends have a positive affect on mood. This is great if you are living close to friends and family. I am a couple states away from everyone I know, and I am just making new friends, so to stay social and connected (other than text messaging) I am writing letters. Completely old school (pen and paper). This is how I’m staying social and connected. Hearing about how the people I do not get to see everyday is doing will definitely keep me cheered.

5.) Take up a hobby

There are several cheap and fun hobbies available for all to take on in the winter months. So many to choose from, and all of them can help you take on the winter blues. The following are just a few to help you narrow down the field.

Painting

Reading

Drawing

Dancing

Cooking

Volunteering

I dance (much to my husbands dismay) almost anytime I hear music. I can’t help it. I want to move! Dancing has been shown to not only boost your mood but also has shown good mental health improvements.

One of my goals for 2017 is to increase the number of books I read this year. I’m starting out conservative, but when it’s cold outside reading is a great way to not only get away but help keep the blues away.

Volunteering helps to improve mood, because helping others makes us feel better. Today there are so many places and reasons to volunteer that it is easier than ever to get out there. It will get you out of your house. Find what speaks to your heart. What makes you want to give your time and knowledge? Volunteering can be a great experience for those who choose to.

Any of the other ideas can lift moods in the winter season. See which speaks to you. You may find that you love your new hobby!

Long term care involves a variety of services designed to meet a person’s health or personal needs during a short or long period of time. These services help people live as independently and safely as possible when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own.

Most Long Term Care is Provided at Home

Long term care is provided in different places by different caregivers, depending on a person’s needs. Most care is provided at home by unpaid family members and friends. It can also be given in a facility such as an assisted living facility, nursing home or in the community, for example, in an adult day care center.

The most common type of care is personal care help with everyday activities, also called “Activities of Daily Living.” These activities include Bathing, Dressing, Grooming, Toileting, Meal Planning & Preparation, and moving around, for example, getting out of bed and into a chair. These are services provided by in-home personal care agencies.

Ongoing assistance also includes community services such as meals, adult day care, and transportation services. These services may be provided free or for a fee.

Health Drives the Need for Care

People often need ongoing assistance when they have a serious, ongoing health condition or disability. The need for this care can arise suddenly, such as after a heart attack or stroke. Most often, however, it develops gradually, as people get older and frailer or as an illness or disability gets worse.

How Long Does Care Last?

Long term care can last a short time or a long time. Short term care lasts several weeks or a few months while someone is recovering from a sudden illness or injury. For example, a person may get short term rehabilitation therapy at a nursing facility after hip surgery, then go home.

Long term care can be ongoing, as with someone who is severely disabled from a stroke or who has Alzheimer’s disease. Many people can remain at home if they have help from family and friends or an in-home personal care agency. But some people move permanently to a nursing home or assisted living facility if their needs can no longer be met at home.

About 70 percent of people over age 65 need some type of long term care during their lifetime. More than 40 percent need care in a nursing home for some period of time.

Who Will Need Long Term Care?

It is difficult to predict how much or what type of long term care a person might need. Several things increase the risk of needing care for an extended time.

Age – The risk generally increases as people get older.

Gender – Women are at higher risk than men, primarily because they often live longer.

Marital status – Single people are more likely than married people to need care from a paid provider.

Heart Body & Mind Home Care is committed to the principle that it takes more than just effort to provide care to another human being – it takes heart. Our hearts are in all that we do. If you are interested in learning more about our compassionate wellness services in Southwest Florida

If you are someone who is interested in maximizing your health, one thing you might be considering is your intake of probiotics. These healthy bacteria live in the stomach and help keep your immune system strong, promote optimal digestion, and keep your entire body working in proper order.

While everyone needs to be consuming a healthy dose of probiotics on a regular basis, there are particular times when you need to increase your dose.

Let’s take a closer look at the main times when serving yourself a little extra dose of probiotics is a wise move…

1. When You Are Ill. Because probiotics play a vital role in keeping your immune system in top shape, it is important you focus on consuming these probiotics when you are struggling with your health.

If you are currently ill, an extra dose can give you the power your body needs to fend off whatever it is fighting: helping you get back to optimal health. When you have a common cold or the flu, as well as when you are struggling with a health issue, an additional dose could be helpful.

2. After You Have Completed The Prescribed Antibiotics. While you are sick and need antibiotics, they can be useful. What they won’t be good for is your gut health. Antibiotics will kill any harmful bacteria currently residing in your system. However, they will also take out all the “good” bacteria.

Serving yourself an extra dose of probiotics during this time can help bring your gut environment back to optimal, ensuring your immune system stays strong.

3. Before And During Travel. The next time it is a smart move to add a few extra probiotics to your daily menu is before and during travel. Before travel, the goal is to make your immune system as healthy as possible, which will help fend off any viruses present in the area you are going.

During the traveling period, taking the probiotics will help keep your system as healthy as possible, and help you avoid any digestive woes that may occur due to eating foods, not your typical dining choices. If you are all about trying local cuisine when you travel, your taste buds may enjoy this, but your stomach may feel otherwise. Using a probiotic may help prevent unwanted issues from occurring.

4. Throughout Pregnancy. Finally, the last time to make sure a probiotic is present in your life is throughout pregnancy. Keeping your body extra healthy at this point is important, and a good quality probiotic may help to reduce your risk of suffering from birth-related complications such as Gestational diabetes.

As you can see, a probiotic is not something you want to slough off and take lightly. It is a must-have in any diet plan aiming to keep you as healthy as possible.